Vanilla Ice Cream

Frozen dairy dessert flavored with vanilla — bean, paste, or extract. The quintessential flavor, against which all others are measured. Premium versions use real Madagascar or Tahitian vanilla beans (visible specks), egg-yolk custard base, and minimal air (low overrun); budget versions lean on artificial vanillin, stabilizers, and high overrun. Pair with nearly any dessert — pie à la mode, affogato, banana split. Equally satisfying eaten straight from the pint.